The Detroit Branch NAACP hosted another successful Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner on Sunday , May 4, 2014 at Cobo Conference Center. Harvard Law Professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr. served as this year’s keynote speaker. United States Senator Carl Levin and United States Congressman John Dingell both received the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other awardees included Tonya Allen, President and CEO, Skillman Foundation, was the recipient of the Great Expectations Award; Rev. Dr. William Barber with the Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Award and Detroit 15 (D-15) with the Mary Church Terrell Freedom and Justice Award. Special Guests to this year’s Dinner were Shaun Robinson, co-host of Access Hollywood and Bryan Smiley, former Detroit Branch NAACP ACT-SO contestant and currently the Manager of Home Entertainment and New Business Development for New Regency Productions at 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers. Smiley was instrumental in paving the way for 12 Years A Slave.

One of the many highlights of the evening included a special performance by over 300 youth which made everyone Happy!

The Detroit Branch NAACP would like to thank all of the Dinner Chairs, sponsors, top ticket sellers, volunteers, Executive Committee and staff who helped to make the 59th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner a success!

The Detroit Branch NAACP held a press conference to announce the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement and Freedom and Justice Awardees for the 59th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. For the first time the Detroit Branch NAACP will have two James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement recipients. The James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement awardees are United States Congressman John Dingell (D-Michigan, 12th District) and United States Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan). North Carolina State Conference NAACP President Rev. Dr. William Barber, leader of the Moral Mondays protest in North Carolina will receive the Ida B. Wells Barnett Freedom and Justice Award. Detroit 15 (D-15), advocates for fair wages for fast food and retail workers, will receive the Mary Church Terrell Freedom and Justice Award.

During the press conference Talmer Bancorp, Inc was also announced as the Senior Corporate Chair and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan purchased the ceremonial first ticket.